Still ‘more fun’ in PH despite post-pandemic effect, says tourism chief

by Jun Marcos Tadios, Manila Bulletin

With the constant recognition being given Philippine tourism as the top destination in Asia, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said on, Friday, Oct. 7, that the country was finally overcoming the post-pandemic upshot of the Covid-19 crisis.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (Photo by DOT)

Frasco made her manifestation during the deliberation of the proposed P3.573-billion budget of the DOT and its attached agencies before the Senate Committee on Finance.

Frasco said they had presented the programs and plans of the DOT to transform the tourism industry into a significant economic pillar through institutional development.

She stated that this was envisioned as the department’s commitment to promoting the direction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“We also presented that we are heralding the Filipino brand to the world by highlighting the best qualities of our country and the Filipino people,” said Frasco.

The DOT chief reiterated that they would continue to promote the country’s tourism capability despite the continuing adverse effect of the global pandemic on the tourism industry.

“While the promotion of the Philippines will not entirely change in the sense that we will continue to market that it is indeed more fun here, we are growing, we are evolving — as the entire world has post-pandemic — to introduce and highlight also the beauty of our culture, the substantial and immersive experience we can offer, and the strength of our identity as a nation,” Frasco uttered.

She thanked the Committee on Finance Subcommittee on Tourism, chaired by Senator Nancy Binay, and all the senators who supported their budget for the fiscal year 2023.

The DOT and its attached agencies and corporations have a total recommended budget amounting to P3.573 billion, which is 27.87 percent higher than this year’s appropriations.

The DOT’s proposed budget has been endorsed to Senate’s plenary for debate.

The Philippines has consistently been hailed as among the best tourist destinations in the world. The latest feat came from the 2022 World Travel Awards (WTA) in Vietnam which proclaimed the Philippines as Asia’s leading dive and beach destination, and Intramuros as Asia’s leading tourist attraction. 

Sarangani seeks to plant 1 M trees in 3 years

by Joseph Jubelag, Manila Bulletin

ALABEL, Sarangani – The Sarangani provincial government launched on Wednesday, Oct. 5, a reforestation program that seeks to plant and grow some one million trees across the province in the next three years.

SARANGANI Gov. Ruel Pacquiao and wife, Jobelle, lead the launching of the One Million tree-planting project in Barangay Bagacay, Alabel, Sarangani on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Provincial officials led by Gov. Ruel Pacquiao attended the kick-off ceremony of the Sarangani One Million Trees project at the watershed areas of Barangay Bacagay here.

Hundreds of local officials, national government employees, and non-government organizations planted some 1,000 seedlings of iron bamboo and fruit trees, including coffee, langka, durian, rambutan, and lanzones.

Pacquiao urged residents and community stakeholders to take part in the environmental project.

“It could be a long way to go, but with the support of the community stakeholders, we can possibly save the depleting watershed of the province,” he said.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Rolando Tuballes said the provincial government launched the environmental protection program amid a study conducted by the USAID-Safe Water Project that showed that some 20,000 hectares of the province’s forest covers have been degraded from 2015 to 2020.

He said the degradation had caused soil erosion and siltation triggered by perennial flooding.

“The massive tree-planting and tree-growing project for the next three years will intensify the reforestation of the denuded watershed areas which aimed to improve the quantity and quality of the province’s water supply,” Tuballes said.

LTFRB Chair Garafil is new Press Usec, OIC

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, Manila Bulletin

As the public awaits the announcement as to who would the next press secretary be, Malacañang confirmed that Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairperson Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil is now the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS).

Office of the Press Secretary undersecretary Officer-in-Charge Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil. (LTFRB photo)

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said this a day after President Marcos said that the shortlist for the next press secretary is now down to three people.

In a text message, Bersamin said “yes” when asked if Garafil resigned from her post and will be an undersecretary at the OPS and serve as its OIC, while Marcos has yet to name the new press secretary.

In a statement, Garafil said she resigned from her post on Friday, October 7, after accepting the offer to help the OPS as its Undersecretary and OIC.

“This is a great honor and privilege, and I thank the President for this opportunity to once again work with him in his administration to serve the Filipino people,” she said.

The press secretary post has been vacant since Tuesday, October 5, following the resignation of lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles supposedly due to health reasons.

Angeles was one of the officials that the Commission on Appointments (CA) bypassed last week. This came after Bersamin was appointed as the new executive secretary, replacing long-time Marcos ally Vic Rodriguez.

On October 6, Marcos said they would be naming the next press secretary “early next week” after revealing that they had narrowed the list to three people.

While he refused to identify the people on the list, he said that the next press secretary should be a “friend of the media,” preferably a journalist or a media practitioner who can effectively deliver the government’s message to the public.

“Yung kaibigan ninyo (They should be your friend),” he said.

“You need somebody who is very experienced in the… probably a journalist or a media practitioner. Yun naman ang kailangan (That’s what we need),” he added.

Reports surfaced that Transportation Undersecretary Cesar Chavez, Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) head of Government Relations Mike Toledo, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) director Gilbert Remulla, and director Paul Soriano were being considered as Angeles’ replacement as Press Secretary.

Chavez confirmed he was being considered for the post and was thinking about it. On the other hand, Toledo is open to returning as Press Secretary. Toledo served in the same position during the Estrada Administration.

Meanwhile, Soriano confirmed to ABS-CBN News that he was being considered but said he preferred to work behind the scenes. Remulla told GMA News Online that he was in the process of “deep discernment,” but he was concentrating on his role in PAGCOR.

Chavez, Toledo, Soriano, and Remulla all have media backgrounds.

Liverpool to host 2023 Eurovision song contest

Published October 8, 2022, 9:28 AM

by Agence-France-Presse

LONDON (AFP) – The Beatles’ home city of Liverpool will hold the 2023 Eurovision song contest next May, the BBC announced on Friday, after Britain stepped in to host the event due to the war in Ukraine.

“It’s Liverpool, 13th May,” said the BBC’s Eurovision show presenter Graham Norton announcing the result live on television after the shortlist was whittled down to Liverpool or Glasgow.

Singer Sonia Evans, who hails from Liverpool and came second for the UK in the 1993 contest, said she was “absolutely over the moon” by the choice.

“We are going to have the biggest party ever,” she said.

“Liverpool has the music history of the whole world. It ticks all the boxes.”

The northwestern English city was famously home to the Beatles as well as a host of other big names from Gerry and the Pacemakers to Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

“A welcoming city with a proud musical heritage, Liverpool will put on an unforgettable show which celebrates the rich culture and creativity of Ukraine,” tweeted British Prime Minister Liz Truss.

Ukraine had been due to host the contest after Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra in May won the Eurovision crown, on a wave of support for their country following Russia’s invasion.

The group beat 24 competitors in the finale in Turin with “Stefania”, a rap lullaby combining Ukrainian folk and modern hip-hop rhythms.

“Please help Ukraine and Mariupol! Help Azоvstal right now,” frontman Oleh Psiuk appealed in English from the stage, referring to the port city’s steelworks where Ukrainian soldiers had been surrounded by Russian forces for weeks.

Britain’s entrant Sam Ryder came second with his quirky song “Space Man”.

But despite protests from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs Eurovision, in June ruled that Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of the more than 10,000 people involved in the production and a further 30,000 fans expected to attend.

– ‘You’ll do Ukraine proud’ –
“We did it!” said Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson on Twitter after the announcement.

“Liverpool is honoured to be hosting Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine… now begins the work on organising the party.”

The BBC confirmed the semi finals would take place in the city on May 9 and 11, with the grand final on May 13.

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon tweeted her best wishes to Liverpool after Scotland’s second city of Glasgow lost out.

“Congratulations, Liverpool. Gutted for Glasgow, but no doubt you’ll do Eurovision and Ukraine proud,” she wrote.

The government in Kyiv had originally vowed to fight the decision not to allow it to play host but later agreed to a UK-hosted event with a strongly Ukrainian flavour.

Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said that after “several rounds” of discussion, the EBU had given assurances of an “extremely high integration of Ukrainian context and presenters”.

British prime minister Boris Johnson at the time said that it had been agreed with Zelensky that “wherever Eurovision 2023 is held, it must celebrate the country and people of Ukraine”.

“As we are now hosts, the UK will honour that pledge directly -– and put on a fantastic contest on behalf of our Ukrainian friends,” Johnson added.

Eurovision is the world’s biggest live music event, taking in performers from across Europe and Central Asia as well as Israel and Australia.

It will be produced in the UK by the BBC.

In line with Eurovision rules, Ukraine is still guaranteed a place in the 2023 grand final along with the EBU’s “top five” countries: Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

The UK has previously hosted the contest eight times, including four times in London.

The last time was in Birmingham in central England in 1998.

PHILIPPINES RECEIVES DESTINATION OF THE YEAR AWARD AT ASIA-PACIFIC’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS TRAVEL INDUSTRY EVENT

Philippines Receives Destination of the Year Award at Asia-Pacific’s Most Prestigious Travel Industry Event- The Philippines won the prestigious Destination of the Year Award during the 31st TTG Travel Awards 2022 Ceremony and Gala Dinner held at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand on 22 September 2022. Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Millicent Cruz Paredes received the award on behalf of the Philippines.

In her acceptance speech, Ambassador Paredes invited the audience to experience firsthand why the Philippines is the TTG Destination of the Year, and to see, touch and taste for themselves the offerings of over 7,600 islands of the Philippines, with its vibrant culture and the warm hospitality of the Filipino people.

Ambassador Paredes honored the hard work of all the stakeholders of the Philippine travel industry, with the award validating their unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to strengthen the Philippine tourism industry. She also praised their resolve to soldier on toward a Philippine tourism industry that is stronger, better and more worthy of the recognition.

The Destination of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding destination for taking proactive steps and initiatives for the development and promotion of the travel industry. This is the second time the Philippines has received the award, having previously won in 2014.

TTG Travel Awards, organized annually since 1989 by TTG Asia, aims to recognize the best in the travel industry across the Asia-Pacific region. This year’s ceremony, held in person after a two-year hiatus, honored winners in three categories: Travel Supplier Award, Travel Agency Awards, and Outstanding Achievement Awards.

At the awards ceremony, Ambassador Paredes was joined by the Philippine tourism delegation composed of representatives from the Tourism Promotions Board and 16 MICE Exhibitors. END

For more information, visit https://www.bangkokpe.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHinThailand/.

PH ready to take lead in Asean peacekeeping

 

By Xinhua News Agency

October 7, 2022

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the Philippines is ready to take the role of peacekeeper in Southeast Asia, emphasizing it is good for the country's interest and regional security.

During a media forum, Marcos said the Philippines has a vital role in keeping peace, particularly amid geopolitical tensions in the region. "So we have a very important part to play in that because we have a great interest," he added.

Marcos also stressed the need to strengthen the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to make it more responsive to future challenges and enable the regional bloc to do more than it has accomplished, suggesting he will raise the issue at Asean meetings in November.

He said that Asean should try and push its member countries to present a united front and move it forward in order to make sure the group "has a function to do in the normal scheme of the geopolitics." Asean groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Gretchen Fullido, Vivoree, Elmo, and more PIE jocks lead new talk and music shows on PIE CHANNEL

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Meaningful conversations and fun singing sessions take center stage as PIE (Pinoy Interactive and Entertainment) Channel introduces to viewers new segments of its BRGY. PIESILOG, PIEBORITO, AND PIE NIGHT LONG program blocks.

BRGY PIESILOG (Monday to Sunday, 10 am – 12 nn)

Every morning, viewers can bond with the ‘brunchkada’ of Gretchen Fullido, Abby Trinidad, Frances Cabatuando, Mayor TV, Tristan Ramirez (Monday to Saturday) Madam Inutz, Migs Bustos, at Nicole Cordovez (Sunday) in BRGY PIESILOG (10 am – 12 nn) that aims to give public service by sharing relevant and practical information.

From Monday to Saturday, viewers can watch “Eto Na Nga,” which features important public service announcements from government agencies, NGOs, and advocacy groups. Practical life hacks are also featured in “Life Guro,” while viewers who are facing dilemmas can seek advice from a life coach in “Sumpungan HQ.”

On Sundays, BRGY. PIESILOG puts the spotlight on different kinds of micro, small, and medium enterprises in “Pasok Mga Suki” and offers free on-air consultations with guest physicians on top of discussing different health concerns in “Dr. Care.”

According to Gretchen, viewers can expect a lot from their public service segments in BRGY. PIESILOG. “Makaka-expect kayo ng practical life tips, life hacks, gustong-gusto ko ‘yung ‘Life Guro’ kasi meron tayong life coach.”

Migs also shared that his hosting style in PIE is more relaxed. “Siguro mas casual compared sa news style. Talagang mas friendly, mas engaging to the audience. It encouraged us to loosen up more, to be able to really connect with the audience.”

PIEBORITO (Monday to Sunday, 12 nn – 4 pm)

During noontime, Janine Berdin and Raco Ruiz will join viewers in PIEBORITO to introduce the hottest music videos in “Playlist Natin!.” Viewers can also catch the behind-the-scenes funny bonding moments of the PIE jocks in “PIE Extra Slice” or revisit the ‘kilig’ in the reruns of “On The Wings of Love” and “Iba: Long Cut.”

Raco shared that he had a lot of questions when he first started out as a PIE jock. “Actually when I started hosting on PIE sinabi ko kay Direk na ‘Direk, tama ba ko para dito?’ I was always tripping over my words. Sabi niya, ‘Character mo yun. Make it your own. Be yourself. That’s gonna be your branding.”

PIE NIGHT LONG (Monday to Sunday, 8 pm – 11 pm)

By night time, Aaron Maniego, Karen Bordador, Renee Dominique (Monday to Friday), Elmo Magalona, and Vivoree (Sunday) will accompany viewers in PIE NIGHT LONG.

In “How to B U?,” PIE NIGHT LONG jocks will get to live the life of different workers, while “Moment Mo” features people from different walks of life and their interesting stories.

Those seeking love and life advice can get help from Karen Bordador in “Tender Love & Karen,” while viewers who want to be in the loop of the latest controversial issues can watch “UZI.” By Sunday, PIE NIGHT LONG transforms into a virtual weekend musicfest with “PIE NIGHT LONG Sessions,” an evening music and talk show with performances from the jocks and various musical guests.

Meanwhile, Elmo is glad to be working with co-PIE jock Vivoree. “Masaya ako na I got to work with Vivoree kasi before nakasama ko siya in acting workshops. Since we both love music ni Vivoree, we work very easily dito sa PNL sessions,” he said.

Besides BRGY. PIE SILOG, PIEBORITO, AND PIE NIGHT LONG, PIE also offers viewers new shows and PIE jocks for more excitement. They are Anji Salvacion, Eris Aragoza, Ralph Malibunas, Sam Bernardo (Mon to Sat) for PIEGALINGAN, Gello Marquez, Jeremy G, Reign Parani, and Vivoree (Sun) for PAK! Palong Follow; Eian Rances, Negi, Sela Guia, Kevin Montillano, Nicki Morena, Ruth Paga, Nonong Ballinan (Mon to Sat) Inah Evans, Kid Yambao, Patsy Reyes, and Jackie Gonzaga (Sundays) for PIENALO PINOY GAMES; and finally, Melai Cantiveros, Jhong Hilario, Kaila Estrada, and former “PBB” housemates in “The Chosen One.”

PIE is the first multiscreen, real-time interactive TV channel in the country. Viewers in the Philippines can participate and win cash prizes every day.

Find the PIE Channel by scanning your digibox. Viewers can also watch PIE worldwide via its website pie.com.ph, YouTube (http://youtube.com/iampieofficial), Sky Cable Channel 21, and Cablelink Channel 100. Viewers can also watch PIE live on GLife of the GCash App. The PIE Channel is a project of ABS-CBN, Kroma Entertainment, BEAM, and 917 Ventures. Follow PIE (@iamPIEofficial) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok for updates.

First 100 Days: VP Duterte cites return of in-person classes as her biggest achievement

by Raymund Antonio, Manila Bulletin

Vice President and Education chief Sara Duterte considers the resumption of in-person classes in the present school year the biggest accomplishment of her office, citing the benefits of face-to-face classes to students.

Vice President Sara Duterte (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)

She said this as her office prepares the report for her 100 days as vice president and Education secretary.

“Ang pinakamahalaga na masasabi ko na nagawa natin (The most important that I can say we did) as a country is naibalik natin iyong ating (we were able to bring back the) in-person classes sa ating mga eskwelahan (in our schools),” she said during an interview at an event where she and the Qatar Embassy in Manila distributed FIFA bags to daycare children in Mandaluyong City.

The Vice President cited studies that showed the “many benefits” of in-person classes to students.

“Kaya napakahalaga na naibalik natin ang (That’s why it’s very important that we were able to return the) option na iyon sa ating mga eskwelahan na mag-conduct ng (that our schools conduct) 5-days in person classes,” Duterte added.

Filipino students returned to school on Aug. 22 after more than two years of online classes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Though it is not until November that the government mandates students to return to in-person classes, it was earlier said that schools and teachers should use September and October for the transition.

READ: DepEd chief VP Sara eyes full face-to-face classes by November—Marcos

The Vice President earlier underscored the benefits of face-to-face classes, noting also the measures—vaccines, face masks, and medicines—now available.

God always cares

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THAT gospel episode about 10 lepers who begged Christ to cure them teaches us the lesson that we should always go to God especially when we find ourselves in difficulties. It also reminds us that we should always be thankful to him because he always cares for us. (cfr. Lk 17,11-19) These two attitudes should be kind of instinctive to us.

We have to learn how to deal with the difficult and the impossible things in our life. Let’s remember that as long as we are here on earth, we have to contend with all sorts of difficulties, trials and temptations. 

And as if these are not enough, we also have to contend with the truth of our faith that tells us that we are meant to pursue a supernatural goal that definitely cannot be achieved simply with our own human powers alone, no matter how excellent they are.

The secret is always to go and to be with God through Christ in the Holy Spirit who can make the impossible possible. In all our affairs and situations in life, we should always go to God to ask for his help and guidance, and to trust his ways and his providence, even our prayers and petitions appear unanswered, if not, contradicted.

This should be the attitude to have. It’s an attitude that can only indicate our unconditional faith and love for God who is always in control of things, and at the same time can also leave us in peace and joy even at the worst of the possibilities.

We just have to remember that Christ never abandons us and is, in fact, all ready and prompt to come to our aid, albeit in ways that we may not realize, at first, just like what happened in that story of the two disciples who were on their way to Emmaus. (cfr. Lk 24,13-25)

We should not allow our feelings of sadness to be so dominant and pervasive that we shut off Christ’s many and often mysterious ways of helping us. If we do not pose a deliberate impediment to Christ’s ways, there is always hope. In our darkest moments, some light will always come piercing and dispelling the darkness away.

At the same time, we should always keep in mind that we need to be thankful to God for whatever gift, blessing and favor he gives. We have to be wary of our tendency to take this duty for granted. As shown in that gospel about the 10 lepers who were cured, only one came to thank Christ who showed concern that the other nine did not bother to thank him. 

We need to do everything to cultivate this abiding mentality of thanksgiving. We have to deliberately do this task, given the desensitizing effect of the flurry of activities and other concerns our modern world is bombarding us with.

Gratitude forms an essential part of our relation with God. It is the adequate response we give upon seeing the continuous attention and care God gives us. It makes us stick to the reality of our life. It keeps us from inventing a world unhinged from its Creator and from others.

When we are thankful, we open our heart to the workings of grace and the innate goodness that comes with our nature, at least that part that is still unaffected by sin. In a way, gratitude is a main language of the heart. It’s a major expression of love.

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Govt urged to create programs for elderly

By Red Mendoza, Manila Ti,es

October 6, 2022

In this file photo thousands of delegates from different cities in Metro Manila participates on DSWD's Filipino elderly week at SM Mall of Asia. File Photo

THE Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) has urged the government to create programs for an increasing aging Filipino population before the end of the decade.

This comes as the country is experiencing an increasing number of aging Filipinos, with the current aging growth rate now hovering at an average of 3.5 percent over the past 10 years, according to the University of the Philippines-Population Institute.

The figures were given by former PopCom executive director Dr. Juan Manuel Perez 3rd, who represented the country in a conference in Bangkok, Thailand during the International Day of Older Persons.

He said in the conference that while older Filipino women outlive their male counterparts, they are the ones who contend with diseases and disabilities.

"More than half (57 percent) struggle with their daily living and have mobility issues. About 56 percent of them are already widowed, while 70 percent of males are either still married or have partners, and are very much physically active," Perez said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said that senior citizens now comprise 8.5 percent of the total Philippine population, or around 9.2 million individuals.

Executive Director Lolito Tacardon, PopCom officer in charge, urged the institutionalization of comprehensive programs on health for seniors, especially those who are living by themselves.

PopCom projects that by 2030, 11 percent of the total population will be 60 years old and above, and will outnumber children ages 0 to 4 years old.

"Preventive programs to avoid diseases leading to disabilities should be in place. Our local health system should likewise be more decentralized," Tacardon said in a statement.

He added that while the government has implemented programs for long-term care for senior citizens, such as the programs by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, it should be brought down to the community level to address disabilities made by senior citizens.

"For those to be effective, local government units should be more active in widening the scope of our health systems' services, or revisit those already operationalized to elevate their effectiveness," Tacardon said.

He said that the commission will work with legislators, local policymakers and government leaders to create socioeconomic and health policies that are targeted for the elderly as a way of "manifesting their care for Filipinos in all stages of their lives."